Fifth wheel brand Pros &Cons

[j2detoit]

My wife and I have been camping now for almost 10 years and have decided that next year we are going to set up in a perminant site for a few years We want to buy a fifth wheel ,new or near new we have looked at many brands ,including Cardnals, Montanas, and a few other brands. Can I get a little input from you guys and gals out ther hearing what you like and dislike about them Thanks

[j2detoit]

My wife and I have been camping now for almost 10 years and have decided that next year we are going to set up in a perminant site for a few years We want to buy a fifth wheel ,new or near new we have looked at many brands ,including Cardnals, Montanas, and a few other brands. Can I get a little input from you guys and gals out ther hearing what you like and dislike about them Thanks

[Randy the sly old fox]

It has been awhile since I followed the long term TT market. The name that sticks in my head is Teton Homes $$$$ but I remember they made great residences. Another brand that a friend of mine bought for full timing was Newmar.

[charliez]

Asking what brand is best, is too general of a question. You will need to look for yourself, as to what layout you like, and you need to do the math to figure out what range of trailers you can safely pull with what you have or what you intend to get, as a tow vehicle.

THEN, look closely at what you see in your range and decide. Just like anything else, the low end ones are lower end, and the high end ones are high end trailers.

Don't rule out a used unit. You can easily save thousands and thousands of $$$ by letting someone else but it new, let it depreciate, get tired of the high gas prices, and sell. That's what we did on ours. We got a 3 yr old unit in mint condition for half of the price the guy paid for it.

[bstark]

JJ: My advice, FWIW, when you say you'll be parked for a few years is to look at one of the smaller park models. cost being the primary motivator for most folks would indicate you would be able to pick one of those up for roughly half what you would pay for a fully outfitted 5th wheel with slides etc.. The other thing about the park models is, they use residential fittings, appliances, furniture etc., what you don't like you can change at the drop of a hat.

[diandtom]

We have a 33-5V Arctic Fox. It is very well insulated and like the floor plan. The storage area could have been made better.(sewer pipes in storage area) I have had to take it back to the factory twice. One time was a crack in the side from the bedroom slide not installed right. We just got back from getting the front of the roof reglued down. They think the glue went into the wood causing the roof to come unglued. I am very happy with the factory and how they have treated me. I had some damage from a gas pump protector and they sent me new parts very cheap and I fixed it my self. I am not too happy with the dealer. I get the feeling after the sale they are done with you. I would buy another Fox if they had a dealer closer to me.
Tom

[Link]

The very best unbiased information will come from the RV Consumer Group. Their information saved us thousands and kept us from making a big mistake. http://www.rv.org

[gmachine]

RV Consumer Group.
They caused us to make a very expensive mistake.
Don't think they examine products at all. Just depend on electronic survey replys from unknowledgeable respondents and sit back and count their ill-gotten gains!
Jim

[TXiceman]

Jim, you are the first complaint I have heard on RV Consumer Group.

Ken

[TTT1953]

We have an 01 Salem 30' 5er. We've traveled through 28 states with it and spent a couple of years as seasonal campers in it. We are very happy with it. That said, it might not be right for you. You'll need to spend many hours looking at many units. If you really never intend to travel, you should consider a park model. As bstark said, there are some great buys on barely used units. Lots of people jump into them without much research and end up creating some great deals a year or two later. So, do a lot of research (looking) and seriously consider a barely used unit. Good Luck

[gmachine]

TXiceman;
Nice to belong to such an exclusive club but membership fee was too high. Seriously, I have heard other growls of complaint about RVCG since our debacle.
Jim

[TXiceman]

Jim, we do not belong to RV Consumers. Sorry you have had such a problem with your Excel. Some friends have one and the problems were taken care of by the manufacturer and dealer.

Ken

[Link]

For less than $100 ,you get information that can save you Thousands. In my book that is a bargain. The RVCG is a nonprofit organization & expenses must be covered. A great many people (including me) would not even consider buying an RV without the RV Consumer group information. As I have said before, without the RVCG I would have made a bad mistake. That RV , that I was told (by some other people) was so great, has now gone belly up-- Thankfully I did not buy it!!!

The RV we last bought is the best--New Horizons.

[gmachine]

Ken;
The exclusive club I referred to is "those who complain about RVCG". Trailer is fine now but new owner shouldn't have to repair in excess of 40 defects on a $82,000 list price trailer and **** sure shouldn't have to buy new suspension to achieve advertised carrying capacity.

Link;
Your experience cancels mine. We did check with NH but company owner refused to negotiate price. Been in business too many years to pay list.
Jim